Rapha Racing has raised over £190,000 by hosting the Bordeaux – Paris race and an online auction for Ambitious about Autism, the national charity for children and young people with autism.

The Bordeaux – Paris 2013 Challenge featured 12 teams of four riders who completed the 617km route in less than 24 hours. The race began at 4pm on Friday 13 September and was split into 100km stages and cycled as a relay. Cyclists from around the world took part, including representatives from South Korea, America and Holland. They raised £142,000 in sponsorship and an online auction of money-can’t-buy prizes, which coincided with the race, raised £50,000.

Auction lots included:

Ryder Hesjedal’s 2012 Giro d’Italia Maglia Rosa, which raised £1,220

A Passoni Rapha Continental custom frameset, which went for £5,200

David Millar’s 2011 Cervelo S3, which went for £3,600

A coffee and bike ride with Greg LeMond in New York City, which went for £1,650

Two days at a Majorca training camp with Team Sky, which raised £3,800.

Rapha Chief Executive Simon Mottram resurrected the lost classic because his son has autism and attends TreeHouse School, the London-based education service provided by Ambitious about Autism.

First run in 1891, Bordeaux – Paris was one of the longest one-day races on the professional cycling calendar. It ended in 1988 and this year marks the 50th anniversary of the last Briton, Tom Simpson, to win Bordeaux – Paris.

Simon Mottram, Chief Executive of Rapha, said: “As a parent of a child with autism I know how hard families have to fight to get the right services and education for their children. It is an honour to create and host such an exciting race and raise vital funds for Ambitious about Autism, a charity that makes a real difference to so many lives.”

Anne Shinkwin, Director of Fundraising for Ambitious about Autism, said: “It was amazing to resurrect a cycling classic and see riders from across the world take on such an awesome challenge in the name of autism. Thank you to Rapha and to all of the brave riders who took part. We very much look forward to another Rapha challenge ride next year.”

Ambitious about Autism is the national charity for children and young people with autism. The charity provides services, raises awareness and understanding, and campaigns to make the ordinary possible for children and young people with autism. Find out more at www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk